Refrigerating apparatus



" -cabinet adapted to mounted in the cabinet;

Patented July 2o, 1943 l UNITED* STATES A'PMM-:NT

orticaV l `Nelson J. smith, Dayton, ohio, signor in Geni eral Motors Corporation, Dayton, ZOhio, a-corporation of Delaware i Application January 24, 1941, serial ivo. 375,825 io claims. (ci. ,s2 49) My invention relates to refrigerating apparau tus and particularly to householdrefrigerators.

An `object,ofmy'invention is to provide an improved refrigerator wherein sections or compartments thereof are maintained at different temperatures relative to one .another .for the proper preservation of various types of food products. i

ber. Y Y g h It is well` known thatvin order to properly pre- Another object of my invention is to provide lan improved compartment within a household refrigerator cabinet for the purpose of main-l taining food, such as Vbutter and the like, at ai temperature suitable for the preservation thereof,

but higher than that within the main refrigerated-` food storage chamber of the cabinet in order.

and spreading of vthe butter.V

to facilitate cutting upon use thereof. t

A further object of my invention is to provide within the insulated walls of the food storage` chamber of arefrigerator cabinet an auxiliary compartment which is warmed by inherent characteristics of a closed refrigerating system associated withthe refrigerator.

A still further and more specific object is to provide an improved apparatus for and ymethod of carrying out the invention set forth in the preceding objects, which method consists in utilizing a well-known ,characteristic of a refrig- `erating system to apply heat to an auxiliary butter and the like storage compartment disposed within the main refrigerated food storage chamber o f a refrigerator cabinet while the refrigerating system operates to maintain a low temperature in the chamber.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent asv the following description proceeds, and the features of novelty characterizing my invention willfbe pointed out y with particularity in the claims annexedto and forming a part of the specification.

In the drawing: i l Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic showing of a refriger ating system to be associated with a refrigerator rated therein;

Fig. 2 is a front view of a refrigerator cabinet having my invention incorporated therein with the refrigerating system disclosed in Fig. 1

Fig. 3 is an'enlargedI vertical sectional view taken on the line 3 1 of Fig. 2 showing a compartment within therefrigerated food storage j chamber ofthe refrigerator cabinet; andv have my invention incorporefrigerating systemassociated with the cabinet disposed in heat exchange relation with the compartment located in the food storage chamconditions and, in addition, the housewife frequently forgets to carry out this procedure. Therefore, I contemplate the provision of means whereby the butter can bekept in a sanitary conditionsubstantially at all tinies and is ready to be cut, spread or served at the momentgit is .removed from the refrigerator. In" carrying out this feature, I utilize an vinherent characteristic of the refrigerating system associated with the refrigerator cabinet. .l u l In order to illustrate my invention I have shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1 of` the drawing a closed refrigeratingsystem u including` a `sealed motor-compressor unit Il, y the compressorv of which withdraws evaporated or gaseous refrigerant from an evaporator I2, through a conduit |13,l to cause the evaporator to'produce a refrig` erating effect'. The compressor portion of the sealed motorcompressor unit Il com-presses the gaseous refrigerant withdrawn` from `evaporator I 2 and forwards same under pressure to a condenser I4, through a conduit I5, where it is cooled and liquefied in any suitable or wellknown manner. The' condensed liqueed refrigerant collects and is stored in the .lower portion of the condenser I 4. Liquid refrigerant flows from condenser I4, through a conduit It, into the evaporator i2, under control of a restrictoror restricting device -I1, for reevaporation therein to permit the evaporator` to continue to produce its refrigerating effect. `,Conduit or pipe I5 includes I a portion formed into a'iiat` serpentine-like coil Iilfor a purpose to behereinafter more fully described. The coil I8 has its inlet end connected with pipe i6 by a conduit portion i9 and has its outlet` end connectedto the restrictor I1 -by a Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view' taken on,

i the line 4-4 of Fig. Bshowing a portion of the conduit 2|. Starting 'and stopping operations of the motor-compressor unit Il may be controlled -by a snap-acting switch 22 interposed in y the electric circuit leading to the unit II.

Switch 22 is actuated in response to the temperature of evaporator I2 to make or -break the electric circuit. Thus, I provide a thermostat bulb 23 in heat exchange relation with the evaporator I2 and connect this bulb 23, by a pipe 24, with an expansible and contractible bellows 25 which forms a part of the switch 22. In a system of the type described, the motor-compressor II and condenser I4 form a refrigerant compressing and liquefying unit, and the volatile refrigerant in such a system is liquefied byremoving heat of compression and the latent heat of condensation from the refrigerating fluid compressed by the compressor. Liqueiled .refrigerant passing through pipe I6 to the flow control means or restrictor I1 or` flowing toward evaporator. I2 inherently has a sensible heat, which is the temperature of the liquid refrigerant, after having the heat of compression and the latent heat of condensation removed from the compressed re-v frigerating fluid, that is above room temperature.

Under ordinary conditions, this liquefied refrigerant is at a temperature of from 10 to 20 F. above room temperature, while the temperature within the refrigerated compartment of a cabinet being cooled by the refrigerating system is atv approximately 40 or 45 F. Expansion of the condensed refrigerant fluid from the restrictor I1 into the low pressure side or evaporator I2 of the refrigerating system reduces the temperature of tus which forms a compartment therein and the restrictor to cool fluid entering the same.

However, the refrigerating fluid in pipe I6 from the entrance side or end of the restrictor I1 to the condenser I4 is warm and the heat emitted from coil I8 in pipe I6 is inherent in the refrigerating system. Therefore, this character` istic of the refrigerating system is utilized `i'or the purpose set forth in the objects of the'present disclosure.

Referring now to Fig. 2 of the drawing, I have disclosed a household or domestic refrigerating apparatus which includes a cabinet generally represented by the reference character 30 and having a closedrefrigerating system, of the type lust described, associated therewith. Cabinet 30 includes metal outer panels or walls 3l, an inner metal liner 32 and any suitable or desirable insulating material 33 (Figs. 3 and 4) disposed therebetween and forming insulated walls of a food storage chamber 34 within the cabinet. The outer metal panels or walls 3I of cabinet 30 depend beyond the insulated chamber 34 and provide a machine compartment therebelow which has its front normally closed by a door 33. Outer cabinet wall 3| and liner 32 are provided with registering apertures which provide an access opening for the food storage chamber 34 that is normally closed by a pivotally mounted insulated door structure 31. The evaporator or cooling element I2 of the refrigerating system disclosed in Fig. 1 is mounted in any suitable manner with; in the upper portion of the food storage chamber 34 and the refrigerant liquefying and circulating portion of the refrigerating system comprising unit II, condenser I4 and switch 22 is normally refrigerating system. Operation of the refrigerating system causes evaporator I2 to produce a refrigeratingeffect within chamber 34 of cabinet l0 to cool and cause circulation of air therein.

According to the present invention, I provide a partition or means withinv the refrigerated food storage chamber 34 of the refrigerating apparawhich isolates the compartmentl fromA the cool Aair within the refrigerated food storage chamber.

The coil I8 provided in pipe I6 of the refrigerating system is associated .with the partitioning means so as to be in heat exchange relation with the compartment located in the food storage chamber. A partitioning means including a horizontal wall portion 4| and a vertical wall portion 42 is mounted intermediate the evaporator I2 and a side wall of liner 32. The wall portions 4I and 42 of the partition cooperate with the top, side and back Walls of liner 32 or chamber 34 to form a compartment 43 in the upper part of the food chamber. Wall portions 4I and 42 of the partition may be formed of any suitable -or desirable material and are preferably formed of molded insulating material. A door 43 may be secured to one of these partition wall portions to form an enclosure which isolates the compartment 43 from the cool air within the food storage chamber 34. Ample space 1s provided for supporting the compartment-forming par-- titioning means within the upper part of chamber 34. Pipe coil I8 of pipe or conduit I6 of the refrigerating system is located immediately above the horizontal wall portion 4I of the partitioning means so as to be in intimate heat exchange relation with the interior of compartment 43. A plate or the like member 43 may be secured to coil I8 or it may be constructed as a part of the partitioning or shielding wall portions 4I and 42 to form a at support within compartment for the receptionl of a container or receptacle 43. Suitable provisions are made to extend the integral pipe portions or connections I9 and 2l of pipe I6 into and out of the compartment 43. The receptacle 49 is relatively long and narrow and preferably of a capacity to contain two onepoundv cakes of butter or the like indicated by the reference character 5I. In the operation of the refrigerating systemvof the apparatus dis- 4 closed, evaporator I2 produces a refrigerating effect within chamber 34` suitable for the cold storage of food placed therein. Since the sensible heat of liquid refrigerant flowing into or through pipe coil I8 from the condenser I4 of the refrigerant compressing and liquefying unit, by way of conduit I6, toward the evaporator I2 is at a temperature above room temperature, some of this sensible heat is dissipated into the auxiliary compartment 43 through receptacle support 4l to thereby apply heat to the heating element Il and to the interior of compartment 43 to heatthe butter or the like 5I stored therein. Thus, the refrigerating system is constructed and arranged '00 utilize the sensible heat of liquid refrigerant flowing toward the evaporator for applying heat Within `the food storage chamber 34 andbeing warmed in the manner described Iinsures that butter stored therein vwill be in proper conditionto permit its being lcut and spread at any time.

it is removed from its storage compartment within the refrigerator. 1

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided a refrigerating system Which cools a food storage chamber of Va refrigerator cabinet to preserve foods placed therein and have provided a compartment within the cold storage` chamber of the cabinet for the storage of butter and the like while, at the same time, construct-- ing and arranging a portion of the refrigerating system in a novel and unique manner'so as to utilize an inherent characteristic of the system for warming the auxiliary butter storage compartment. My invention permits theV proper storn age of various food products within a single apparatus and all of which products are readily accessible-to facili-tate the preparation and serving of meals.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What vis claimedis as follows:

1. A refrigerating apparatusv comprising in combination, a cabinet having a lfood storage chamber therein, a closed refrigerating systemI associated with said cabinet and containing a volatile refrigerant, said closed system including a refrigerant .compressing and liquefying unit operatively connected with an evaporator disposed in said cabinet and adapted to. cool air within said chamber, means Within said chamber and forming a support for a receptacle therein, an element adapted to apply heat to said 'receptacle support, and saidl refrigerating system being arranged `to utilize the sensible heat of liquid refrigerant flowing from' said unit toward said evaporator for applying heat to said heating element.

2. A refrigerating apparatus comprising in for providing refrigeration therein, a thermally c ombination, a cabinet'having 'a food storage"- chamber therein', a closed refrigerating system associated withsaid cabinet and containing a volatile refrigerant, said closed system including a refrigerant compressing and liquefying unit operatively connected with an evaporator disposed in said cabinet and `adapted to cool air within said chamber, means within said chamber and forming a support for a receptacle therein, and said. refrigerating system having av portion thereof intermediate said unit and said evaporator disposed in heat exchange relation with said receptacle support for utilizingthe sensible heat of liquid refrigerant flowing toward said evaporator to apply heat to said portion of said system. V

` 3, A refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, a cabinet having aplurality of insulated Walls forming a foodl storage chamber therein, a closed refrigerating system associated with said cabinet and containing a volatile refrigerant, said closedsystem including a refrigerant compressing and liquefying unit operatively connected with an evaporator disposed in the upper portion of said chamber Vand adapted to cool air therein, a partition disposed within said chamber and located between said evaporator and a side wall ofthe chamber, said partition cooperating with the top wall of lsaid chamber to form aV compartment within the chamber isolated Y from the cool air therein, and said partition having a portion of said refrigerating system intermediate said unit and said evaporator associated therewith for utilizing the sensible heat of liquid refrigerant flowing toward said evaporator to apply heat to` the interior of said' compartment.

4. A' refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, acabinet having a food chamber therein, a refrigerant liquefying apparatus associated with said cabinet, wall structure arranged to form a compartment within said chamberinsulated from the air in the latter, and means in heat exchange relation with said compartment for transferring to the compartment from the' refrigerant heat developed in the latter by the operation of said liquefying apparatus thereon.

5. In a' refrigerator cabinet having a refrigerated chamber, a refrigerant circulating system for providing refrigeration therein, a thermally insulated compartment Within said refrigerated chamber, one Wall of said compartment comprisingr spaced apart members, the inner of said spaced apart members being formed from material having relatively good heat conducting characteristics, and means associated with said inner member and the refrigerant circulating system for conducting heat from a portion of said. system to said inner member.v

6. lIn .a refrigerator cabinet having a. refrigerated chamber, a refrigerant circulating system insulated compartment within said refrigerated chamber, one wall of said compartment comprising spaced vapart members, the inner ofsaid spaced apart members being formed from ma- 'terial having relatively good heat conducting characteristics, means associated with said inner member and the refrigerant circulating system' for conducting heat from a. portion of said system to 'said inner member, and the outer of said spaced apart members being formed from a material having relatively good heat insulating 8. In a refrigerator cabinet having a chamber therein, a refrigerant circulating system including an evaporator for cooling air within said chamber, a food storage receptacle in said chamber, means associated with said receptacle and the refrigerant circulating system for conducting heat from a portionof said system to said receptacle, and shielding means substantially enclosing said receptacle and normally maintaining the cool air within lsaid chamber out of thermal association therewith.

9. YIn a refrigerator cabinet having a chamber therein, a refrigerant circulating system includ-` ing an evaporator for cooling air Within said chamber, a food storage receptacle in said cham.

4 ber, a heat dssipating portion of said refrigerant circulating system being in thermal association with said receptacle for transferring heat thereto, and shielding means substantially enclosing said receptacle and normally maintaining the cool air within said chamber out of thermal association therewith.

10. In a refrigerator cabinet having a chamber therein, a refrigerant circulating system including an evaporator for cooling air within said chamber, a food storage receptacle in said chamber, means associated with said receptacle and the refrigerant circulating system for conducting heat from -a portion of said system to said receptacle, means forming a shield about said receptacle for protecting same from the cool air within said chamber, and said shield including a por. tion movable relative to other portions thereof for admitting said air into thermal association with said receptacle. 4

v NELSON J. SMITH. 

